1812

Plot

The film depicts the dramatic events of Napoleon Bonaparte's disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812, known as the Patriotic War. The narrative follows the French army's initial advance into Russian territory, the burning of Moscow by Russian forces as a strategic retreat, and the brutal winter retreat that devastated Napoleon's Grande Armée. Through a series of dramatic tableaux and battle sequences, the film portrays key moments including the Battle of Borodino, Napoleon's entry into the abandoned Moscow, and the catastrophic withdrawal across the frozen Russian landscape. The story emphasizes Russian patriotism, sacrifice, and ultimate victory over the invading forces, culminating in the destruction of the once-mighty French army.

Historical Background

The film was produced in 1912, during the final years of the Russian Empire, a period of significant cultural flowering known as the Silver Age. This was a time when Russian cinema was establishing itself as a serious art form, competing with the dominant French and American film industries. The timing of the film's release was particularly significant as it coincided with the centenary of Napoleon's invasion, making it a patriotic celebration of Russian resilience and victory. The pre-revolutionary period saw a surge of national pride and interest in Russian history, with the 1812 war serving as a powerful symbol of Russian unity and strength against foreign invasion. The film emerged just before World War I would dramatically reshape European politics and cinema, making it one of the last major productions of pre-revolutionary Russian film culture.

Making Of

The production of '1812' was a massive undertaking for the Russian film industry of 1912. Director Vasiliy Goncharov worked extensively with military historians to ensure historical accuracy in costumes, uniforms, and battle formations. The film required the coordination of hundreds of extras, many of whom were actual soldiers from the Russian Imperial Army. The battle sequences were filmed over several weeks in the countryside near Moscow, with the production team building elaborate sets to recreate Moscow as it appeared in 1812. The collaboration with French filmmakers was unusual for the time, given the historical subject matter, but it allowed for access to more advanced film equipment and techniques. The film's cinematographer pioneered several innovative camera movements, including what may be some of the earliest uses of tracking shots in Russian cinema.

Visual Style

The cinematography of '1812' was remarkably advanced for its time, featuring innovative techniques that pushed the boundaries of early film. The cinematographer employed moving camera shots to follow the action during battle sequences, creating a sense of dynamism rarely seen in films of this era. The use of long shots to capture the scale of the armies contrasted effectively with intimate close-ups of the main characters. The film also featured sophisticated composition within the frame, using architectural elements and natural landscapes to create dramatic visual tableaux. The original prints included carefully applied color tinting to enhance the emotional impact of key scenes, with warm tones for domestic scenes and cool blues for the winter retreat sequences.

Innovations

'1812' pioneered several technical innovations that would influence Russian and international cinema. The film featured some of the earliest examples of tracking shots, with the camera mounted on moving platforms to follow cavalry charges and marching troops. The production team developed new techniques for staging large-scale battle sequences involving hundreds of extras, using careful choreography and camera positioning to create the illusion of even larger armies. The film also demonstrated advanced editing techniques for its time, using cross-cutting between different action sequences to build tension during the battle scenes. The use of location shooting combined with studio sets was innovative, creating a more realistic visual experience than the purely studio-bound productions common in 1912.

Music

As a silent film, '1812' was originally accompanied by live musical performances during screenings. The premiere featured a specially commissioned orchestral score that incorporated popular Russian folk melodies and military marches of the Napoleonic era. The music was synchronized with the on-screen action, with different themes representing the Russian and French forces. Contemporary accounts suggest that Tchaikovsky's '1812 Overture' was sometimes performed during screenings of the film, despite being composed decades later, as it had already become associated with the historical events depicted. Modern restorations of the film have been accompanied by newly composed scores that attempt to recreate the musical experience of the original screenings.

Memorable Scenes

• The spectacular Battle of Borodino sequence with hundreds of soldiers clashing on an open field
• The dramatic burning of Moscow as Russian forces set their own city ablaze to deny it to Napoleon
• The haunting winter retreat scene showing the frozen, starving French army struggling through snow
• The triumphant final scene celebrating Russian victory with crowds waving flags and banners

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics in 1912 praised the film for its ambitious scope and technical achievements. Russian newspapers hailed it as a triumph of national cinema, with particular acclaim for its realistic battle sequences and patriotic themes. French critics, despite the film's anti-French subject matter, acknowledged its artistic merit and technical innovation. Modern film historians consider '1812' a groundbreaking work of early cinema, noting its sophisticated use of crowd scenes, camera movement, and narrative structure. The film is frequently cited in academic studies of pre-revolutionary Russian cinema as an example of the industry's artistic ambitions and technical capabilities.

What Audiences Thought

The film's Moscow premiere created enormous excitement among audiences, with reports of standing ovations and spontaneous patriotic demonstrations. Contemporary accounts describe viewers being moved to tears by the dramatic scenes of Russian sacrifice and victory. The film proved to be a box office success in Russia and was subsequently shown in various European cities, where it attracted audiences interested in both the historical subject and the novelty of Russian filmmaking. Even today, a century after its release, the film continues to be screened at film festivals and special retrospectives of early cinema, attracting audiences interested in film history and Russian culture.

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